IT Application Specialist

This role focuses on the implementation, rollout, operations and support of the business application landscape tailored to the Club's business needs. Acting as the local IT Business Partner, it collaborates with vendors, business stakeholders and leaders to ensure adequate IT operations and solution delivery. The role ensures local applications and IT services align with global Red Bull IT standards while addressing local business requirements.

• Oversee the implementation, operation and maintenance of local and global applications, including overall IT application management, service operations and support for local soccer facilities.
• Implement and maintain local IT processes such as IT Demand Management and Application Portfolio Management, ensuring local applications meet business requirements and adhere to global Red Bull IT standards.
• Collaborate with vendors and global IT teams on application rollouts, upgrades and the discussion of technical requirements and business demands.
• Support the digitalisation of the Club proactively through IT innovations and enable new digital initiatives with global IT teams.
• Act as the primary IT point of contact for local business stakeholders and leaders, communicating technical solutions clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Gather business requirements and translate them into actionable IT solutions, ensuring clear understanding and collaboration with stakeholders, and provide regular reports on IT activities to local and HQ management.
• Lead and support projects according to Red Bull's IT Project Management methodology, coordinating project tasks, resources and timelines to meet business expectations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key IT vendors, oversee vendor contracts, serve as escalation point for vendor-related issues, and support the IT Manager in managing, aligning and monitoring the application budget, including handling invoices to ensure efficient operations.
• Ensure all software applications comply with relevant laws, regulations, contractual obligations, security and compliance standards, and identify and mitigate risks related to application operations and data management to prevent incidents or service issues.
• Ensure a gameday-ready IT setup locally (network, server, applications), coordinate with operational partners and event IT support staff, manage and resolve application and infrastructure issues and incidents, and monitor employee user support
• KPI dashboards and the ticket queue using the central Service Desk platform.

• University degree in Computer Science, Technology, or a related field in any IT subject.
• Proven minimum 3 years of hands-on IT experience, focusing on software application implementation and operations in a Global IT organisation.
• Proven ability to collaborate with vendors and business stakeholders to deliver IT solutions.
• Strong understanding of software lifecycle management, including implementation, support and upgrades.
• Native level in Japanese and fluency in English (written and verbal) is mandatory.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical teams.
• Ability to develop and maintain local IT processes in alignment with global standards.
• An excellent operator with a hands-on approach and a positive attitude.
• Experience in budget management, IT sourcing and vendor/licence management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to effectively advocate for IT and engage with business partners in a sporting environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and exceptional interpersonal abilities in both English and Japanese.
• Capability to present ideas in business-appropriate and user-friendly language, complemented by a strong service orientation.
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with a positive and pragmatic attitude.
• Ability to perform well under pressure, with a strong business and customer focus.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and coordinate multiple tasks.

• Knowledge of and experience with software and hardware technologies utilised in team sports or event environments is not essential but beneficial.
• Experience in IT project management or coordinating IT initiatives.
• Basic knowledge of IT infrastructure (e.g. network setup, servers).
• Familiarity with IT security and compliance requirements.
• Exposure to IT operations in team sports or event environments.